Within the framework of NATO Week in Armenia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan organized a Yerevan – Kosovo Videoconference especially for the soldiers in the Armenian peacekeeping division deployed in Kosovo, and their families in Yerevan.

On March 16, 2007, nearly 60 friends and relatives of the 23 soldiers gathered in the Ministry’s Press Room, and saw the soldiers who were sitting in Kosovo, in a live video hookup. The 34 soldiers are the sixth rotation of Armenian troops to take part in the Kosovo Peacekeeping Forces.

Soldiers and family members spoke to each other and exchanged stories. There were emotional moments, too, as one soldier saw his baby daughter for the first time. The Kosovo-based Armenian soldiers also exchanged greetings and jokes with their comrades who had previously served in Kosovo and formed part of the Yerevan audience.

Minister Oskanian and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Anthony Godfrey both addressed those present in Yerevan and Kosovo. Artak Tonoyan, commander of peacekeeping division, also greeted the peacekeepers.  Armenia’s Public Television taped the exchange for later broadcast.